photosynthetic pigments

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photosynthetic pigments The pigments responsible for the capture of light energy during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. In plants, algae, and cyanobacteria the green pigment chlorophyll a is the primary pigment, absorbing blue and red light (see photosystems I and II). The carotenoids and various other pigments are accessory pigments, absorbing light energy and passing this on to the chlorophyll a molecules.